Amarillo, Texas – A significant winter storm could bring heavy snow and dangerous travel conditions to the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles beginning Friday afternoon, with impacts likely lasting through late Saturday night. Roads across the region may quickly turn slick, making travel difficult or impossible, especially during the Friday evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for much of the Texas Panhandle, including Potter, Randall, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Hutchinson, Moore, and Deaf Smith counties, as well as Beaver County in Oklahoma. Snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches are possible, with locally higher totals in open and elevated areas.
Amarillo, Canyon, Borger, Pampa, Hereford, Dumas, Perryton, and Shamrock are all within the watch area. Travel along I-40, U.S. 287, U.S. 87, and rural farm-to-market roads could become treacherous as snowfall intensifies and visibility drops. Palo Duro Canyon State Park may also see difficult access conditions as snow piles up.
Residents are urged to delay non-essential travel, stock emergency supplies, and prepare for rapidly changing road conditions. Those who must go outside should dress in layers and limit exposure to the cold.
The winter storm watch remains in effect through late Saturday night, and upgrades to warnings are possible as the system approaches.
URGENT – WINTER W
